Join us for an enlightening webinar that offers a sneak peek into the exciting discussions and thought leadership expected at GESS Dubai 2023. Our webinar will feature some of our prominent speakers who will be gracing the stage at the conference. Register now to discover the latest trends and innovative strategies that are shaping the future of education.
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SPEAKERS:
Adam Laird, Head of Secondary Music, Apple Teacher
Adam is currently the Head of Music at Jebel Ali School, Dubai, and has been involved in all aspects of music education for the last two decades. In the UK, Adam worked with schools, orchestras, bands, and local authorities in developing music practice in the classroom and is ideally placed to comment on the role music has in today's school climate. In the UK, Adam was the Head of Performing Arts at Norton College, Head of Creative Technology at Manor CE School, resident musical director at the Grand Opera House, York, and conductor of the York Area Schools Concert Band and Big Band. He is the founding member of the York Saxophone Choir, and as a performer has recently taken the stage with Dubai Opera Festival Chorus, Dubai Singers, Dubai Wind Band, Dubai Opera Big Band, NSO Big Band, Balquees, and Andrea Bocelli. He is also the Musical Director for Musical Theatre Dubai and deputy chorus master for Dubai Singers.
Dr Helen Wright, Director of Global Thought Leadership
Dr. Helen Wright is a highly regarded global leader with an energetic career spanning 3 decades in UK and international education. She led schools and held national and international roles in education in the UK and Australia for over 13 years until 2014, before embarking on an independent portfolio career in leadership recruitment, executive coaching, and governance advisory. As a highly regarded International Education Advisor, with a warm yet determinedly incisive style, she challenges and coaches educational and other leaders globally to think and act ambitiously. She holds several Board Director roles, and she recruits international school leaders as an Associate of LSC Education. She currently works with schools, leaders, and companies in countries including the UAE, China, India, the Netherlands, and the UK.
Olly Lewis, Deputy Head Academic at Amity International School
Olly is a two-time GESS Award winner, a GESS Awards judge, and an Edruptor; an international education influencer as recognised by ISC Research in January 2023. Olly is a connector and strategic thinker and is passionate about all aspects of education.
Fiona McKenzie, Head of Education at Carfax Education
Leading an international education consultancy from Dubai, Fiona is a trusted advisor for many families and aspiring students, providing an invaluable compass through the complex landscape of education options and opportunities.
Fiona has dedicated her career to education over the last 30 years and is a highly regarded and trusted figure in the field - often sought after as a keynote speaker at conferences and a media spokesperson, she regularly shares her insights and strategies with educators, students, and parents alike.
Fiona is the Head Consultant for a global private schools guide, titled The Schools Index, and also stands as a highly recommended advisor in the Spear’s 500 Index. Renowned for her impartial, tailored and unmatched guidance, Fiona has positively inspired a new generation of learners to embrace their educational journey with confidence and enthusiasm.
Pam Mundy, Founding Director of Schools and Education, Neom Education, Research and Innovation
Pam has recently held the role of Director of Schools and Education (EC-12) for the NEOM Education, Research, and Innovation Sector, leading education development and school start-up in the new giga city of NEOM, Saudi Arabia. A highly experienced K -12 education professional, internationally renowned author, and keynote speaker with global recognition for her specialism in the development of international education and school start-ups, particularly in SE Asia, the UAE, Latin America, Africa, China and the USA. She operates at both strategic and executive levels for a wide range of international school groups, businesses, and educational organisations. Previous Executive roles include international posts as; Associate to the RSLE Design and Task Force, Dubai, Consultant Director of Education for Dar Al Marefa School, Dubai, Chief Academic Officer for Knightsbridge Schools International, and Director for Quality Assurance and Professional Development for World Class Learning/British Schools of America (now part of the Nord Anglia Education Group) based in Houston, Texas. An ‘entrepreneur by accident’ with an insatiable curiosity about what might be possible, Pam also operates as an education and business development consultant to many of the world’s leading UK and international school and education groups on strategic expansion, leadership, and development.
She provides advice and guidance to ‘start-up’ schools on brokering and securing investment, selecting partnerships, and is involved in a wide variety of high-net-worth education development projects. Pam holds positions on UK and international Education Boards, including ACS International Schools as non-Executive Director and Chair of the Education Committee and Trustee, the Knightsbridge School, London, Dukes and Little Dukes Education Groups, and Summer Fields School, Oxford. She is also Chair of the Charterhouse Lagos International Advisory Board, Chair of the Chatmore International Schools Board, Bermuda, and an Advisory Board Member, the Centre for Advanced Studies for International Education Red House – Ecole du Monde, Genève, Switzerland. She sits on a variety of international Ministry of Education Select Committees and ground-breaking international educational research groups. She is a Founding and Advisory Board Member of the International Business Women in Education network.
